Oludan sues Gov. Ajimobi, 23 others

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, has sued the governor of Oyo, Abiola Ajimobi and 23 others, for their involvement in the crowning of 21 kings in Ibadan on August 27, 2017.

Also joined in the suit are the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, the eight high chiefs that were elevated to kings as well as the Baales that were conferred with kingship status.

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji had distanced himself from the mass coronation of 21 new Obas and the Osi Olubadan of Ibadan, Rashidi Ladoja, has said Ibadan still has only one Oba, as the chieftaincy review and recommendations is still being treated in court.

In the suit numbered I/1077/2017, which was filed at the High Court of Justice, Oyo State on September 19, 2017, the Olubadan is claiming that the governor violated the Chiefs Laws CAP 28 of the state in installing the new kings.

The Olubadan is seeking an order setting aside the Gazette number 14 and 15 of Volume 42 of August 23 and 24, 2017 made by the governor and which conferred the right to wear crown and coronet on the elevated high chiefs and Baales.

Abiodun Abdu-raheem, one of the lawyers of the king, said his client had triggered sections of the state Chiefs Laws to challenge the defendants and that the governor did not fulfil the process as prescribed by the law before embarking on the review of the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration of 1959.

He said, “The governor exercised his power to elevate chiefs to kings acting under the provision of Section 28 (1) Cap 28 of the Chiefs Laws of Oyo State. The Olubadan is contending the fact that before you can exercise any power under the section of the Chiefs Law, you must as a matter of necessity consult with the Oyo State Council of Chiefs and Obas.”

“There is no provision that says that the governor can waive consultation with the council if it is not sitting. The law is clear on this matter. As it is today, the Olubadan of Ibadanland is the chairman of that council, even though the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, is contending that in court.”